Clean way to change intake manifold

[skokie]

I am going to be swapping out my intake manifold and I need to know if anyone knows of a way to remove the intake without getting coolant everywhere. Is it best to drain the radiator? Or is there a way I can get just the coolant from the intake only?

Thanks Much..

[muddpile]

Any time I do it, I drain the coolant out of the rad through the petcock on the bottom. A bit of coolant still gets spilled in the oil, but not so much that way. An oil change after an intake swap is always a good idea.

[skokie]

When you drain the radiator how much coolant do you have left in the intake when you pull it?

[screamin_c102]

Shop vac in the thermostat housing....works like a charm

Also works great for getting the gasket scrapings out of the ports and valley.

As ststed above, an oil change is a definate afterwards.

[skokie]

I like the shop vac in the thermostat housing idea. Never even thought of it. So will drain radiator, remove the top radiator house and insert shop vac

Thanks guys. I appreacite it..

[71swb4x4]

If you have a thermostat, and the engine is cool, you won't get much coolant out of there. You could vacuum what's in the housing, and then pull the housing and thermostat, put the housing back on and vacuum the rest out.

[steves1967]

I like to pull the 1/4" plugs on the side of the block and drain the fluid there, usually gets it all out of the block and rarely do I spill any into the engine, although i always change oil afterward...

[screamin_c102]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

If you have a thermostat, and the engine is cool, you won't get much coolant out of there. You could vacuum what's in the housing, and then pull the housing and thermostat, put the housing back on and vacuum the rest out.

Actually, the thermostat doesn't stop the flow of coolant it signifiganlty restricts it. The Shop Vac pulls enough coolant past the 'stat to empty the intake and lower the level in the heads as not to spill into the valley. I usually shove it into the upper radiator hose and leave it run for a few, use a clamp if necessary, while I am working on pullin the carb or gettin' tools ready.

I thought the old timer that showed me the trick was too.

[skokie]

I opened the drain plug on the radiator and let it go right into the bucket. Not to bad. I popped the thermostat housing off and there is not that much in there. I had to call it quits for the night but I will be doing the shop vac thing tomorrow night to get the rest out.